Martha Stewart will hardly be the first to follow the straight and narrow path when it comes to home decor. She is known for her mix of elegance, boldness, and creativity, and her design choices often generate conversation, sometimes because they’re not the ‘safe’ choice. Martha also knows how to do a good head turn, from unexpected color schemes to unconventional furniture placement and everything in between. She has made many of her decorating decisions the subject of debate, with some people in awe, and others scratching their heads. Yet, one thing is certain: She doesn’t play boring tricks.
If you want to move away from the norm and make your home look new and eye-catching, these decor hacks are just for you. Martha might provide some ideas to get you to try something a little unexpected. So be ready, these tips could take you down a bold path in home decor!
Unconventional Dining Spaces
She loves shaking up traditional dining spaces and sometimes doesn’t even bother with a real formal dining table – opting for a coffee table, outdoor furniture, or even floor cushions. The relaxed approach of dining spoils it for cozy and intimate bites. It’s an out-of-the-box idea that may not work for everyone, but it’s extremely refreshing.
Dramatic Drapery
Instead of playing it safe with curtains, Martha often opts for, floor to ceiling, drapes in a dramatic way, even in rooms with low ceilings. By making this choice, you not only add grandeur, but you are also tricking the eye into thinking that the space is taller than it actually is. The trick is to opt for lightweight and fluid fabrics so the room doesn’t feel heavy.
Recycled Furniture – Going Green
Martha is very often incorporating furniture made from recycled material, therefore giving a new life to old things. She’s been known to repurpose weathered wooden doors into dining tables or headboards from antique shutters. This trick not only adds a rustic, sustainable touch to your home, but it also adds a one-of-a-kind element that is both eco-friendly and charming.
Kitchen Moody Color Schemes
Kitchens don’t have to be light and airy, do they? Dark, moody kitchens have become popular, and Martha is to thank for the idea of navy blue cabinets, matte black countertops, and deep green backsplashes. It’s comfortable, intimate, and comfy enough for a little more than you had for lunch. Martha shows that though many are reluctant to take on these dark tones in such a vibrant space, if you get the lighting and contrast of your decor right, it can be done tastefully.
All Year Freshness With Indoor Gardens
Indoor gardens are close to Martha’s heart, from lush potted plants to the smallest of herb gardens in the kitchen. These mini gardens are often placed in high-profile spaces, allowing greenery to give life to her designs. Aside from simply looking good, NASA studies have shown that indoor plants actually help improve the air by reducing toxins, so this choice looks good and does good.
Embracing Clashing Colors
In Martha’s world, clashing colours can be incredibly chic. Some decorators advise against mixing colors like pink and red, green and blue, orange and purple, but she’s been known to take that route. Doing so makes spaces feel both playful and bold in an avant-garde way. For Martha, it’s always best to balance these colors with neutral furniture so that the room doesn’t feel so chaotic.
Modern Spaces With Antique Pieces
Martha often mixes old and new instead of choosing to stick to just one era. Antique mirrors, vintage armchairs, or old chandeliers enter ultra-modern rooms. Together, this contrast creates a nice tension; every piece can shine, but without feeling overwhelming to the décor. Every room needs a dash of something old to feel really wonderful, and Nate Berkus, the expert designer, agrees.
Statement Ceilings
Martha would have you rethink a white ceiling if you’re thinking of leaving it plain white. She sees the ceiling as a ‘fifth wall’ and has been known to paint it in colours that clash with the walls or to paper it. Using this trick means your ceiling becomes an unexpected focal point when guests look up, adding an unexpected pop of style.
Unconventional Ways to Layer Rugs
Everyone knows Martha’s love for layered rugs. You’ll often see her use a smaller, more patterned rug, but over a neutral one, for that extra depth and texture on the floor. The layering trick isn’t a common one, but it does help to add warmth to any room. If you think rugs are just for hardwood floors, Martha shows that layered rugs can make carpeted rooms feel plush and luxurious.
Outsized Art Pieces
Martha’s home decor is just as full of art as she is, but Martha’s not into small, discrete art. She prefers sticking with big pieces of artwork that claim a whole wall, making it an eye-catching feature point. The trick here is to keep the rest of the decor simple so that the art can breathe. ArtFinder reports that large art pieces can transform rooms, add wow factor, and boost room satisfaction among homeowners, because they bring a feeling of sophistication and drama to a space.
Mixing High and Low Pieces
Not all of Martha’s decor is high-end. She blends expensive antiques together with less expensive, but simple, items, and stores that are well-known for them. This way of decorating a space makes everything appealing without having to rely on everything being high-cost and exclusive. Martha believes one shouldn’t have to live in an apartment or a house with one price tag and that every home should reflect personal taste.
Embracing Imperfection
Martha doesn’t know perfectly. She loves a slightly scratched table or a slightly worn rug. Martha says a home that feels ‘too perfect’ can be sterile. She thinks that these little imperfections give character to the home, and allow the story of the home and its inhabitants to tell the room.
Unconventional Dining Spaces
She loves shaking up traditional dining spaces and sometimes doesn’t even bother with a real formal dining table, opting for a coffee table, outdoor furniture, or even floor cushions. The relaxed approach of dining spoils it for cozy and intimate bites. It’s an out-of-the-box idea that may not work for everyone, but it’s extremely refreshing.
Dramatic Drapery
Instead of playing it safe with curtains, Martha often opts for floor-to-ceiling drapes in a dramatic way, even in rooms with low ceilings. By making this choice, you not only add grandeur, but you also trick the eye into thinking that the space is taller than it actually is. The trick is to opt for lightweight and fluid fabrics so the room doesn’t feel heavy.
Minimalist Decor With a Twist
Many see minimalism as stark and bare, but Martha puts her twist on the idea. Visualize an all-white room with one accent wall in a deep, dark color, such as charcoal or emerald. What I love is that she pairs minimal furniture with little surprising elements, such as an oversized, textured throw or a bold piece of art. The twist? A calm space is instantly made to pop by adding just one loud, bold item.
Mixing Patterns With Abandon
Martha isn’t afraid to combine patterns, stripes, florals, and geometrics all seem to live rather well together in her work. Traditional decor wisdom dictates that patterns should be kept to a minimum so as not to create visual chaos, but Martha does the opposite, discovering the harmony in the least expected places. A striped couch, with floral cushions and a geometric rug, she might combine to create a home with oodles of energy and colour. It may be brash to you, but it won’t be for everyone, and it’s making a statement.
Open Shelving for the Brave
Hiding away the clutter, forget it. Martha likes open shelving in kitchens and bathrooms, showcasing all that you’ve got. It can be intimidating to choose this because you have to keep things neat, but it gives an authentic lived-in feel that cabinets can’t. Open shelving boosts kitchen storage, making it easy to grab everyday items, and gives the room personality.
